Following the 2024 Formula 1’s pre-season testing, the F1 teams are again busy lap-logging their racing machines around the Bahrain International Circuit for the free practice sessions. Along with the other F1 drivers, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were running hot on the racetrack with their McLaren MCL38.
While the McLaren drivers were busy driving, former Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard visited the McLaren paddock in Bahrain.
Soccer legend spotted in F1 McLaren garage at Bahrain GP
On Thursday, 29th February, McLaren’s duo—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—took out their MCL38, fitted with Pirelli’s medium compound tyre, in the opening free practice session of the 2024 season at the Bahrain International Circuit. McLaren really put on a show during the FP1 session, as Lando Norris secured 2nd position (1:32.901) and Oscar Piastri made at 3rd spot (1:33.113).
During McLaren’s ‘underwhelming’ FP2 session, ex-Liverpool player Steven Gerrard was spotted visiting McLaren’s paddock at the Bahrain International Circuit.
lmao steven gerrard is at mclaren's garage pic.twitter.com/VhRfDVoYvm
— 🧜🏻♀️ (@FluttershyIuna) February 29, 2024
Steven Gerrard—a long-time McLaren supported—was invited as a special guest at McLaren’s FP session in Bahrain. He witnessed Norris and Piastri’s practice run and cheered them on from the British team’s orange boxes. The former Liverpool man was seen holding a McLaren cap during his presence, proving his faithfulness to the team.
While McLaren was busy hosting Steven Gerrard, ex-McLaren man Daniel Ricciardo outperformed both the McLaren drivers, to take the 1st spot at the FP1 results.
The FP2 session was ‘underwhelming’ for McLaren compared to its FP1 performance: Oscar Piastri took the 5th spot (1:30.784) and Norris at the last 20th position (1:32.608).
Ex-McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo outshines Max Verstappen at Bahrain GP
The current VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo outpaced both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and even the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen.
After the first few laps, Max Verstappen held P1 with a 1m 33.535s, despite facing ‘bad downshifts and upshifts’ problems with the ‘absolute monster’ RB20.
Daniel Ricciardo goes fastest in the first practice session of 2024 ⚡ pic.twitter.com/iakAARRHyM
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 29, 2024
As the session progressed, Daniel Ricciardo bolted on softer tires to his VCARB-01 and performed the fastest lap time of FP1 at 1min 32.869s—0.369s faster than Verstappen’s 1min 33.238s.
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will both try to outshine each other on 2nd March at the Bahrain Grand Prix’s racing event.
Did McLaren ‘slip’ away in the FP2 results due to the ‘slipping’ Steven Gerrard’s presence? Will Daniel Ricciardo outshine Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
